Fred Trueman: Impressed by Bradman's speed

Then, gripping the stump with both hands, he would attempt to score 'runs' by hitting the unpredictable golf ball onto the laundry wall or door.

It was this incredible skill that developed his extraordinary eye and hand co-ordination.

England's third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Freddie Truman was one bowler who recognised his natural visual speed.

"He must have had wonderful eyesight," he said.

"He picked the line and the length of the ball very quickly to get into position as quickly as he did.

"He was like a ballet dancer on his feet - he was incredible."

His excellent fielding skills were attributed to his other domestic invention - utilising the rounded fence railings at his home to take sharp return catches.

Bradman was the ultimate thinking batsman.

His greatest strength was that every time he went to the wicket, he would score a 100

Godfrey Evans

Alec Bedser: Bradman was always looking to score runs

"He was very quick on his feet, he had very good judgement of the length of the ball and his concentration as magnificent," he said.

"Out there in the middle, when he'd been there a little while, I'd say to him 'how's your wife?' and he'd say, 'I'll tell you after I've finished batting'.

"You couldn't get the concentration out of him."

But it was the rate at which he scored runs - coupled with his frequency of scoring hundreds - that frightened the opposition to death.

Twenty-nine hundreds in only 52 Test matches illustrates the regularity of which he used to reach three figures.

"His greatest strength was that every time he went to the wicket, he would score a 100," added Evans.

"You don't want much more strength than that."